THE ROAD TO THE OSCE ISTANBUL SUMMIT AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

(Washington, DC) - The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe today announced a forthcoming public hearing:

The Road to the OSCE Istanbul Summit

and Human Rights in the Republic of Turkey

Thursday, March 18

10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Room SR-485, Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC

Open to Members, Staff the Public and the Press

The hearing will provide a timely opportunity to review U.S. policy and strategy for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as preparations get underway for the OSCE Summit Meeting scheduled to convene in Istanbul later this year.

Key decisions are expected to be announced at the summit, including the adoption of a Charter on European Security. The hearing will also focus on human rights in Turkey in light of Ankara’s OSCE human dimension commitments.

Witnesses:

The Honorable Marc Grossman, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs The Honorable Harold H. Koh, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and LaborMr. Stephen Rickard, Director, Washington Office, Amnesty International USA Mr. Douglas A. Johnson, Executive Director, The Center for Victims of TortureMr. Neil Hicks, Senior Program Coordinator, Middle East and North Africa Program, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights Additional experts have been invited to testify